Portland (Oregon Convention Center), OR, UNITED STATES

Men 60m heats

After false starting, world record holder Maurice Greene, left nothing to chance in his
heat of the 60m. As the gun fired he lingered in the blocks  allowing his rivals to
steal an immediate advantage  but coolly closed the gap, crossing the line together
with Giorgios Theodoridis in 6.56  a personal best for the Greek. Most impressive of
the qualifiers was Greenes teammate Tim Harden. Quickly into his running, Harden
pulled away from the field before easing up completely five metres from the line.
Jamaicas Donovan Powell caught the American at the line with both men timed at 6.51.
Australias young hope  Matt Shirvington  took the first heat, marred by
four false starts, in an Oceania record of 6.52, with Britains Jason Gardner just
behind. The closest race came in heat 6, with former World Champion Bruny Surin, Ray
Stewart and Luis Alberto Perez Rionda, matching stride for stride throughout the race.
Stewart, who ran his first Olympic 100m final in 1984, got the verdict in 6.58. But the
others qualified for the semis as well, as did Nigerias Deji Aliu (6.65) and
Japans Koji Ito (6.68) from heat 3.